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Sweet Hearts of Sweet Creek #3
Close to His Heart
He's chasing his dreams. She's hiding from her past. Can a hometown fundraiser heal their broken hearts?
Jace Scholte is determined to rise above his poverty-stricken childhood. Years after a real estate developer took him under his wing, Jace has a mission: return to his hometown of Sweet Creek and win the residents' support for a high-rise condo. He volunteers in a local fundraiser to melt their resistance, but he never expected he'd work side-by-side with the one who got away…
Tess Kruger remembers the plan she and Jace constructed all those years ago. But try as she might, she can't forget the dark secret that caused her to run away from their potential future. When her high-school sweetheart returns, she keeps him at arm's length. She's still not ready to tell him why she abandoned a promising career… and him…
Old flames reignite between Jace and Tess, though they find themselves questioning a past they thought they knew. For a second chance at love, they'll have to face the truth together…
- GenresChristian
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2018
560 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Carolyne Aarsen
213 books723 followersEven with over 1.5 million copies of my books in print, I still feel like I haven’t written the perfect story. From my office in the woods of Northern Alberta, I’ll keep trying. Inspired by spectacular sunrises, breathtaking Northern Lights and long walks through wooded trails, the stories keep coming. To find out more about my life and my writing, check out my website at www.carolyneaarsen.com
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 20, 2022
Hometown sweethearts. Their lives split for 6 years. Is that love still there?
So nice to read a romantic book without foul language or explicit sex!
So nice to read a romantic book without foul language or explicit sex!
September 27, 2021
Tess is hiding a secret and Jace is back in town and wants to know why she disappeared from his life six years ago without a word why. Jace is working for a developer and making good money. Tess still loves Jace but she was raped by Jace's boss and is afraid she is not worthy of Jace's love because she is damaged goods (as she thought). But Jace loves Tess so much that when Tess finally reveals her secret to him, he quits his job and decides to stay in town and asks Tess to marry him. Rape is awful and it was a touching story when the truth finally came to light.
August 9, 2019
Just another winner from Christian author Carolyne Aarsen. I really enjoy reading these clean, wholesome romances.
This story has two characters, Jace and Tess, who have a past history with a similar dream, also in the past. These two could not be more different now. Jace has left his hometown in the wings of a contractor/developer. He has a cushy job in the city. But he returns to his hometown with another dream that may be far from what the town wants.
There are some surprises in this book, but all pleasant. An enjoyable series that I would recommend to all readers who like a refreshing romance.
This story has two characters, Jace and Tess, who have a past history with a similar dream, also in the past. These two could not be more different now. Jace has left his hometown in the wings of a contractor/developer. He has a cushy job in the city. But he returns to his hometown with another dream that may be far from what the town wants.
There are some surprises in this book, but all pleasant. An enjoyable series that I would recommend to all readers who like a refreshing romance.
February 27, 2018
Another awesome story!
Great story by one of my favorite authors! Carolyn Aarsen is not afraid to tackle hard subjects and all the emotion and angst that come with the problems. She also does not hesitate to let her readers know that relationship with God is the only way for things to get better. Life is not perfect but personal relationship with God can help us make it through the unimaginable!
Great story by one of my favorite authors! Carolyn Aarsen is not afraid to tackle hard subjects and all the emotion and angst that come with the problems. She also does not hesitate to let her readers know that relationship with God is the only way for things to get better. Life is not perfect but personal relationship with God can help us make it through the unimaginable!
October 3, 2021
Wow...excellent... well done
The story was compelling and the characters and situation realistic.
Ms Aarsen did a fantastic job with a delicate subject. Having not been in the situations, I don't know for a fact the actions and reactions are authentic, but they certainly seem so.
The story culminates with an emotional punch (grab tissues) it doesn't leave the reader sad and upset. Our main couple get to start on their HEA.
The story was compelling and the characters and situation realistic.
Ms Aarsen did a fantastic job with a delicate subject. Having not been in the situations, I don't know for a fact the actions and reactions are authentic, but they certainly seem so.
The story culminates with an emotional punch (grab tissues) it doesn't leave the reader sad and upset. Our main couple get to start on their HEA.
October 17, 2022
Secrets can be destructive
This story appealed to me because it so clearly showed the damage that can be done when people keep secrets from each other and don't communicate.
The romance between Jade and Tess showed much promise for a bright future for them, but only if they can get on the same page.
It also shows the psychological damage that violent crime can do to someone's psyche and the healing power of God's Word. Now I'm on to book 4 in the series. Great writing!
This story appealed to me because it so clearly showed the damage that can be done when people keep secrets from each other and don't communicate.
The romance between Jade and Tess showed much promise for a bright future for them, but only if they can get on the same page.
It also shows the psychological damage that violent crime can do to someone's psyche and the healing power of God's Word. Now I'm on to book 4 in the series. Great writing!
January 11, 2018
Awesome
The range of emotions woven into this book keep you wanting to read more. I can’t wait until the next book comes out! I would love to move to Sweet Creek and become a part of the caring community! Excellent read! I certainly recommend it - so many are hiding secrets that God can heal! Loved this.
The range of emotions woven into this book keep you wanting to read more. I can’t wait until the next book comes out! I would love to move to Sweet Creek and become a part of the caring community! Excellent read! I certainly recommend it - so many are hiding secrets that God can heal! Loved this.
March 9, 2023
She had left, six years ago, then he finds she is in Europe, travelling. Why she had left him and all their plans he still couldn't fathom.
This time, he was going to find out why she left,why she had changed from the young woman he had dated.
What will he do when he finds out her true reason for leaving everything and everyone so abruptly? Will he believe her?
This time, he was going to find out why she left,why she had changed from the young woman he had dated.
What will he do when he finds out her true reason for leaving everything and everyone so abruptly? Will he believe her?
January 16, 2018
Beautiful Emotional Inspirational Story
This was beautiful emotional,inspirational story about a woman's journey to having a second chance at love.
This book is recommended for those who like Christian romance .
This was beautiful emotional,inspirational story about a woman's journey to having a second chance at love.
This book is recommended for those who like Christian romance .
February 9, 2018
Trigger Alert
Very well done. The author handles the topic of rape in a very sensitive manner. The emotions by the victim and family when it comes out are authentic. But for most healing and fixing relationships doesn't happen as quickly as in an HEA
Very well done. The author handles the topic of rape in a very sensitive manner. The emotions by the victim and family when it comes out are authentic. But for most healing and fixing relationships doesn't happen as quickly as in an HEA
July 25, 2021
Enjoyed reading
Enjoyed reading about Tess and Jace. The grew up together in Sweet Creek , went to college and then worked together but then Tess left without a word. Finally after several years she returned to Sweet Creek but was a changed person. Can she find answers.
,
Enjoyed reading about Tess and Jace. The grew up together in Sweet Creek , went to college and then worked together but then Tess left without a word. Finally after several years she returned to Sweet Creek but was a changed person. Can she find answers.
,
August 30, 2025
Close To His Heart
This story is about a young woman who was raped and disappeared from her home to a new town where she met a man and fell in love but could not tell him her story. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
This story is about a young woman who was raped and disappeared from her home to a new town where she met a man and fell in love but could not tell him her story. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
January 19, 2018
Favorite
Out of the first four books in the sweet creek series this is my favourite. There is pain, choices, honesty, love and a satisfying closure to this story.
Out of the first four books in the sweet creek series this is my favourite. There is pain, choices, honesty, love and a satisfying closure to this story.
February 17, 2018
Broken
While this is a very sweet romance it also deals with a heartbreaking issue. This series confronts everyday life as well as romance.
While this is a very sweet romance it also deals with a heartbreaking issue. This series confronts everyday life as well as romance.
April 3, 2018
This one had some serious depth that held my interest. I couldn't put it down. I had to know what happened.
May 2, 2018
☺☺☺☺☺
Another excellent tale. In addition to the love story and the story of faith a very difficult topic is covered in a tasteful way.
Another excellent tale. In addition to the love story and the story of faith a very difficult topic is covered in a tasteful way.
October 24, 2018
Pretty good book
This was a pretty good, sweet and enjoyable book to read. It was well written, interesting and moved along well.
This was a pretty good, sweet and enjoyable book to read. It was well written, interesting and moved along well.
August 17, 2021
Fantastic and perfect
Wow can this author really write a very powerful story and I loved the way she shows God's love in the characters lives. A great story.
Wow can this author really write a very powerful story and I loved the way she shows God's love in the characters lives. A great story.
January 9, 2018
This was a great story about growing up and overcoming our pasts. I liked the characters and how they grew in the book. I became frustrated at times with Jace and Tessa, but had to remember that we learn how to live life in a certain way. When we are asked to change, we turn right back into old habits. The characters were real and had a depth to them. The situations that Jace and Tessa found themselves in helped them grow and become more likable characters. I recommend this to anyone that loves second-chance romances.
March 5, 2020
Tess ran away when something horrific took place. Jace still has no idea why. They are both back in their hometown and are constantly running into each other. I wish she had just told Jace what had happened, six years apart just seems like too long. Loved how Jace eventually handled the situation when he found out Tess' reason for running. Really like the christian element and how love and healing come from the Lord.
May 26, 2018
Touching story
Touching story of survival and second chances. Rape is not an easy subject to discuss with anyone. To be raped by someone you admired and then threatened is unreal. Tess's story is about all that and surviving.
Touching story of survival and second chances. Rape is not an easy subject to discuss with anyone. To be raped by someone you admired and then threatened is unreal. Tess's story is about all that and surviving.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews